Search the Community

"We're top of the league and you're no" After a mere 4 months of residency in Dingwall, the Scottish League Cup became homeless on Tuesday night – minutes after Inverness CT convincingly beat Dunfermline to top Group C. The 5-1 score line at East End Park has put us in pole position to win the group, thanks to a +5 goal difference which we share with Dundee United who arguably have the tougher remaining fixture. Ross P has been looking at the revamped League Cup in more detail ahead of the visit of Arbroath. Before looking in detail at Saturday’s opponents, it is worthwhile refreshing the memory at the structure of this new tournament and address our chances of progression. The new format of the competition has 12 teams progress from the group stages, to join the 4 teams who are participating in or have been already been knocked out of European competition. The top 4 performing group winners become seeds in the last 16 with these European participants. The other 4 group winners are joined by the 4 best performing second placed teams. Up to speed so far? As mentioned, ICT need to win by a greater GD than any Dundee Utd win v Dunfermline to secure top spot in the group. What's also important to consider is GD will likely decide who finishes as one of the top 4 group winners and be seeded in the next round: Group B - St Johnstone 7 points, GD +5 Game to play = St Johnstone v Stirling Albion Group D - Alloa 9 points, GD +7 Game to play = Raith Rovers v Alloa Group D - Raith Rovers 8 points, GD +2 Game to play = Raith Rovers v Alloa Group E - Partick Thistle 9 points, GD +5 Game to play = Partick Thistle v Queen's Park Group H - Morton 8 points, GD +3 Game to play = Morton v Berwick Rangers have secured one of the top 4 already, leaving 3 up for grabs. In order for ICT to qualify as a seed they may have to outscore any St Johnstone win v Stirling AND hope that one of Morton or Partick Thistle mess up (assuming one of Alloa v Raith are also mathematically likely to qualify). All in all, the odds are against us. With this in mind, will Richie change the formation/style further to ensure we win by a large margin? Two (our only two) strikers starting perhaps? Will Jake Mulraney, so impressive against Dunfermline, have recovered from the kicking he has received in each game he’s played so far, in order to start? Will Owain Fon Williams start ahead of Cammy Mackay to give him at least 90 minutes of match action ahead of the first league game of the season? I think it will be a yes to each of these questions, as we have to go for the jugular against our League Two opponents to give us the best opportunity to qualify from the group as a seed. Inverness have enjoyed a very positive record against the Smokies, winning over two thirds of the fixtures played since first meeting in 1995. The most recent match was a 7-1 rout in an away pre-season friendly in 2013/14. Billy Mckay scored 5 that day, with current squad members Josh Meekings and Liam Polworth also netting. Other players of note taking to the field included David Raven, Gary Warren, Richie Foran, Aaron Doran, Carl Tremarco and Cammy Mackay… in addition to former striker Graham Bayne turning out for our opposition. Arbroath are missing quite a few of their more experienced starters due to suspension (Little, McCord and ex County player Jimmy Scott), with rumours online suggesting they may be missing up to 8 first team players in total. The three suspended players are an important part of the spine of the team, which will be significantly weakened through their absence. In an effort to strengthen the team ahead of Saturday Arbroath are attempting to bring in an unnamed defender on loan from Championship team Dundee United. Should no-one be signed in time Arbroath will be going into the match with a team short in height and experience, against an Inverness team who enjoy a myriad of tall, experienced players in comparison. Opposition players to look out for include former Inverness CT player Bryan Prunty who once scored for us in a 1-1 draw v. Rangers at Ibrox and fellow striker Steven Doris, who despite failing to score regularly at all his other clubs, went on trial at English Championship side Birmingham City in 2013. Late news from the Inverness camp is that Aaron Doran is very close to a return to action and could be considered for some game time against the Smokies. It would be fantastic to have Aaron back on the park, another option for Richie Foran to have with King and Mulraney already showing their worth in the wide areas. RossP prediction - The need is great for a win by a considerable margin. That, partnered with Arbroath's lower league status and missing personnel leads to significant confidence in a comfortable Inverness CT win. I predict a 4-0 victory, which should be enough to top the group. And our Welsh International Keeper has returned from the Euros...................

Craig Brewster's second spell in charge of the club began with a win against third division Arbroath in the CIS Cup. A goal in each half from Marius Niculae and a second half Dennis Wyness effort were enough to see off the Red Lichties who did get on the scoresheet through Bryan Scott. 28/08/07 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CT 3 Niculae (34,74), Wyness (64) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Watt, McCaffrey, McBain (Morgan 79), Cowie, Black, Duncan, Wilson (Rankin 79), Wyness, Niculae (McAllister 85) Subs: McDonald, Ridgers. ARBROATH 1 Scott (71) Team: Morrison, MacKay, Ferguson, Raeside (Rennie 77), Bishiop, Tully, Hegarty (Webster 62), Scott, Tosh, Sellars, Watson (Reilly 75) Subs: Wight, Black Referee Stephen Finnie Attendance 1246 Before tonight's game, Caley Thistle had only scored two goals in four games and these had come from defence and midfield. Tonight, the strikers finally got into the action with Marius Niculae scoring a double - his first goals for the club - and record scorer Dennis Wyness bagging his 95th for the club. With Grant Munro missing from the lineup due to a minor back strain, on loan defender Steven Watt came into the side and Ross Tokely took over the captaincy and it didn't take long for him to get in on the action... at both ends. First he hit a long range effort from 35 yards that wasn't too far away and then in the 10th minute he was lucky not to have a penalty given against him with a clumsy challenge on Bryan Scott. The ref gave a free-kick and Hegarty put it over the bar. After 20 minutes, Barry Wilson almost got on the scoresheet. His effort from a Don Cowie cross hit the bar. Wyness had a good chance a short time later but found himself surrounded by defenders and goalkeeper Morrison was able to grab the ball. The first goal came in 34 minutes and it was Romanian International Marius Niculae who notched his first for the club. A pass from Dennis Wyness set him up and in the words of one fan it was "a cracking twenty yarder, powerful shot after good turn". That was it for the first half and although only a slim lead, it was still a lead !!! Half Time: 1-0 Into the second half and Barry Wilson was the first to have a serious effort on goal. Roy McBain crossed from the left and Barry attempted a diving header only to see his effort come off the post this time. Five minutes later the lead was doubled and this time it was Dennis Wyness who scored. Craig Brewster, speaking on the official site, was quick to praise the record goalscorer saying how much he enjoyed it. "I think Dennis' goal especially was a great move, a great ball from Don Cowie to Russell Duncan and then Dennis does the rest with a touch, swivel and finish." Caley Thistle sometimes like to make things difficult for themselves - as we all know - and tonight was no different. Barely seven minutes after Dennis had looked to have put the game out of reach, Arbroath scored and were right back in it. A defensive error allowed Bryan Scott to pick up the ball 12 yards out and he easily beat Michael Fraser to reduce the deficit to one with 19 minutes to go. Not to worry though, Marius Niculae, who appears to be improving with every game did put the game out of reach three minutes later. A free kick from 22 yards was expertly hit with spin and swerve and although Morrison may have got a hand to it he couldn't stop it from going in. Full Time: 3-1 So there it is, a win for Craig Brewster in his first game back and a few other positives on the night. Marius Niculae getting his first goal(s) for the club, Dennis Wyness finally getting back on the scoresheet with his first goal since January, Ian Black taking a few hefty knocks and not reacting badly, and Don Cowie also worthy of a mention after another good performance in the midfield. After the start to the season we have experienced and the drama of the last week, its nice to be able to list a few positives and although tonight's match may "only" have been Arbroath its a nice boost going into this weekend's game at Easter Road where Craig Brewster scored twice last week for Aberdeen !